A veteran advertising and marketing executive has taken the reins of the Downtown Business Association of Escondido. Debra Rosen, who sold advertising for the Union-Tribune for 15 years while volunteering for seven years with the Downtown San Diego Partnership, is succeeding Suzanne Strassburger in the Escondido job as chief executive officer.

“It’s been incredibly busy,” says Rosen. “We’re making great progress working with the businesses downtown. The arts, entertainment, dining and shopping venues in our downtown are unique, exciting and consistently gaining national recognition.”

The DBA of Escondido is hosting and promoting a variety of events in December to encourage families to visit from outside Escondido. A complete schedule is on Page 14. Highlights include the Jingle Bell Cruise and Antique-a-thon Dec. 4 sponsored by Young Buick Pontiac Cadillac; and the First Night Escondido, a New Year’s celebration without alcohol, on Dec. 31.

Those who haven’t been to downtown Escondido in a few years likely will be impressed with the variety of the upscale restaurants and retailers lining Grand Avenue, including a satellite of the Mingei Museum. Rosen says it reminds her of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter in the 1990s.

A resident of Poway, Rosen and her husband have three children. Kathy Rubesha remains president of the DBA of Escondido’s board.